From time to time, we like to review some of the books available for parents of college students. There is a wealth of literature available to help parents cope with the transition to college and the changes that occur throughout the college years. We’ve offered some recommended reading, and there is something for everyone. See the Recommended Reading section of our Resources page for more suggestions.
There are many good books out there for college parents and we recommend several of them. But Off to College: A Guide for Parents by Roger H. Martin is a bit different. Dr. Martin has served as a professor and college president, but more important than his titles is the inside view he has taken of the freshman year. For an earlier book, Dr. Martin spent some time as a college freshman (a good reading experience on its own), but for this book he spent time visiting several colleges – talking to professors, staff members, administrators and many college students. Off to College shares an insider’s look at how college works.
is a book for parents and students alike. We initially decided to review this book as something for parents to pass along to their students – as they begin college or move on to career. However, we quickly discovered this is a useful book for parents as well.
was written with a focus toward higher education professionals, but should be read by parents of these students as well. As parents, we know our students intimately as individuals, but we don’t often think about the overview of the entire generation to which they belong. Generation Z Goes to College helps parents see their students in the context of their generation.
by Kelly Radi is an easy-to-read, helpful book for parents about to send their child off to college. Radi uses the metaphor of a ship setting sail to help parents understand, and become more comfortable with, the process of helping their child start out, and succeed, in college.